Weird Noises From the Serpent

[ellfra]

Since buying my 3.0RB second hand with 60km I have been getting some weird noises at idle, in Drive, from the vicinity of the serpentine belt. The dealer initially replaced the compressor under warranty - but to no effect. Latest news is that the steering pump has to be replaced and there is a two to three week wait for parts from Japan. Being a bit worried by all this I checked the steering fluid and discovered a stinking black substance the colour of stale Guinness . Subsequently I flushed the steering system using the pump from a bottle of Ajax Spray and Wipe to drain the reservoir and about two litres of Dex III to flush the system. This has improved the steering pump noise greatly but has no effect on the original weird vibe. (BTW check this before replacing your steering pump in pre 04 H6 check this: http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-is-the ... u-outback/ )

If anybody has had similar experience and can provide clues - any info would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
GF

[Dropz]

The idlers and tensioner start to whine when they are beginning to wear out, but also the timing chain is noisey and its normal operation. That's generally the soft whine noise you'll hear when you rev it.

[ellfra]

Thanks Dropz, but its a vibration noise that coincides with the aircon clutch - but is not the aircon (the compressor has been replaced) - I think perhaps you are onto something though with regards the idlers - maybe the aircon engaging puts enough extra pressure on them to make a rattle - I'll replace the lot and see what happens,

Cheers,
GF

[Dropz]

The aircon will be slightly noisy, just like the power steering pump as they are both pumps and have a few moving parts inside them, as well as the electronic clutch assembly on the aircon. If you are sure it's not a normal noise then check the tensioner pulley first as that's the most common.

[ellfra]

Thats Dropz - will do - I would have thought the dealer would have followed your suggestion but they seem to want to change the most expensive bits first even though it is under warranty - I think that I will replace the idler even at my cost just to sort it out.

Cheers,
GF

[Dropz]

If it's under warranty let them do it, its free and the parts will be new.

[ellfra]

Agreed, but they have been stuffing around with it for ages. Thanks for the feedback Dropz, much appreciated.
Cheers,
GF

[Robbks]

Thanks Dropz, but its a vibration noise that coincides with the aircon clutch - but is not the aircon (the compressor has been replaced) -

did they replace the pulley/ bearing and clutch assembly, or just the pump...?
Sounds like a usual dealership to me, just throw new parts at it until it's fixed....

pull off the belt and start it
that will tell you if the noise is related to the timing chain/ tensioners, etc
or if it's somethign running off the serpentine belt

[ellfra]

I hear what you are saying Robbks, and today I had the belt, tensioner and pulleys replaced here in Brisbane - at my cost - the noise is gone - question now is will Toowoomba honour the warranty. Perhaps not given that they did replace the whole compressor assembly - but then that was their mistake.

The whole issue has cost a lot in part, labour and my time. I have to say that the diagnosis in Brisbane was spot on.

On a related issue, Brisbane are very up front about recommending power steering flushes to look after the system, and have offered a much more cost effective rebuild of the power steering pump ($450 Vs $2k) which does need some work.

Learning points have been:

* Flush your steering fluid regularly
* Replace your serpentine belt pulleys and tensioner if necessary ($400) as it is much cheaper than dealing with the potential damage ($heeps).

Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
GF

[Tradewind]

Good thread, idler bearings and tensioner assembly are critical to a trouble free serp belt

[matt_3.0rb]

I just shredded this belt this morning. Was just driving and had a horrible noise and lost power steering. The bearings in the tensioner (?) between the water pump and the alternator were absolutely stuffed, and there had only been a small noise occuring at about 3000 rpm since last night. Looking now for a new belt and some new bearings without having to buy a whole new wheel, unless there is a specific reason to.

[smythie]

oooh bugger

[matt_3.0rb]

Got it fixed in half a day.
New belt for $50 and new bearings for both wheels at $10 each, and its an easy fix because of the position of it.
So was more of an inconvenience than anything.

[smythie]

good stuff!